Jury acquits Marcus Andrejco, Emilio Rivera of Clairton shooting

Surrounded by well-wishers outside the Allegheny County Courthouse, Clairton Police Officer James Kuzak was still trying to accept that two people who had been accused of shooting and paralyzing him are not guilty.

"It's absolutely devastating. It's nothing we even anticipated," Kuzak said Friday. "You know, over my 18 years of being involved with trials and whatnot, you can never understand or expect what's going to happen, and I guess we did expect something, so it was very hurtful. I'm sure it was very difficult for the jurors. But we're dealing with it."

A rally to show support for Kuzak began at noon in the courthouse courtyard. (See photo slideshow)

“Thank you, Officer Kuzak, and thank you all in law enforcement,” said rally organizer Joanne Witkowski.

Gray skies and a constant light rain over the rally could have reflected the officer's mood -- but he insists that's not the case.

"Even with everything coming down yesterday, what we had to go through yesterday, not alone the five weeks of this trial, I'm happy."

Signs in the crowd included "We Are Kamp Kuzak Strong" and "Thank You To All Our Wonderful Police Officers."

“I refuse misery. I refuse to be miserable. And I refuse to do anything but be happy and find something in every day that you have to smile about. Because if you don't, life will pass you by so fast,” said Kuzak.

“It's just amazing the support of the community. Strangers come up to us and just give their condolences and their well wishes. It's amazing,” said Kuzak’s girlfriend, Cris Okulanis.

Kuzak was wounded while responding to a home invasion last year on Miller Avenue.

Marcus Andrejco, was released from the county jail Thursday night after his acquittal. Co-defendant Emilio Rivera is still in custody for a conviction on charges related specifically to the home invasion, not Kuzak's shooting.

"It's kind of a hard pill to swallow -- kind of feeling that my 18 years in service wasn't rewarded," Kuzak said. "I've never done my job expecting anything in return, so, maybe this time, I thought I should have."

Despite the disappointing verdict, Kuzak expressed his gratitude to the police officers and prosecutors who investigated the case.

“The investigators in this case put in so many hours of their lives just to get this accomplished. I believe what they tell me, and they tell me that Emilio Rivera is the one that shot me,” said Kuzak.

He also gave one last thanks to his girlfriend.

“I'll never be able to give back to her like she's given to me. I love her very much,” said Kuzak.